Shear



H. C. SMITH.

SHEAR.

AFILICAIION FILED JAN. 21. 1919.

1,313,960. Patented .26, 1919.

3 SH -SHEET 1.

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H. C. SMITH.

SHEAR.

APPLICA'HON FILED JAN. 2] l9l9- Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

HENRY COLLIER SMITH, OF ST. MARYS, OHIO.

SHEAR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 26, 1919.

Application filed January 27, 1919. Serial No. 273,299.

To. all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY COLLIER SMITH, a citizen of the United States,and residing at St/Marys, in the county of Auglaize and State of Ohio,have invented a new and Improved Shear, of which the following is aspecification.

In the use of rotary shears designed to operate on long metal sheets, itwas customary heretofore for the workman at the end of the sheet toeither himself watch the feeding of the sheet into the machine and to'swing it to the right or left as might be needed to keep the cutterstrue to line, or to take directions by word of mouth or by motion of thehand of an operator stationed close up to the machine. This procedure iswasteful in the matter of time and leads to inaccuracy in the work.

According to the present invention, the operator at the machine keeps apointer or needle constantly on the line of the desired cut, which isscribed or marked on the material, and by so doing controls an indicatorwithin view of the workman at the end of the sheet; any angulardeparture of the marked line from the position it should occupy toinsure the proper cutting action is thus constantly shown and theworkman has. therefore only to watch the indicator and to shift thesheet to the right or left as may be necessary to position the indicatorarm or its equivalent at a predetermined point, corresponding to theproper position of the line. That is, the operator watches the markingline and holds the pointer thereon and need pay no attention to thecutters once the sheet is properly entered, and the workman pays noattention to either the cutters or the operator, but keeps his eyes onthe indicator and shifts the end of the moving sheet just enough to holdthe indicator true to its neutral position. The process is thuscontinuous and has in practice proved decidedly advantageous both mquality and quantity of the output.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a well knowntype of shear equipped with a preferred embodiment of my invention. Fig.2 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation corresponding to Fig. 1.Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view ofthe indicator wire drum or segment. Fig. 5 is a front elevationcorresponding thereto, the wires and certain other related parts beingshown. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view showing the pointer holder. Fig.7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. (3. Fig. 8 is a section on theline S-8 of Fig. 1. Figs. 9 and 10 are sections on the lines 99 and 101Oof Fig. 8. Figs. 11 and 12 are, respectively a plan view and anelevation showing the relation of the shifter head to the shifter barfor the pointer.

1 and 2, Figs. 1 and 2, indicate rotary power driven cutters which formthe working elements of the machine tool 3, in this instance a shearadapted to out long sheet metal or other material 4 as the latter isdrawn through it by the rotation of the cutters. The supporting tableappears at 5 and the presser whereby the sheet is held down is shown at(3. It will be understood that the invention is applicable tosubstantially any machine of the general type, say, for example, topunches as well as to shears.

In the use of such machines, it is customary to scribe or mark upon thesheet the line 7 along which the cut or operation is to be made, and aworkman stationed at the end of the sheet swings the latter, usually atthe direction of the operator standing adjacent the working element,horizontally from time to time as may be necessary to insure the properaction.

It is evident that the direction and amount which the sheet must beswung at a given instant in order that it may be brought into properrelation to the cutters is measured by the angular displacement of theline 7 horizontally from the line perpendicular to the plane of thecutter shafts at the point where the edges of the cutters coincide, thatis, perpendicular to the plane of the paper (Fig. 2) at the meetingpoint of the cutters.

10 designates apointer or equivalent element arranged to be shiftedmanually back and forth across the line 7, or, more strictly, in theplane of the sheet I, and the movements of the pointer are communicatedto the hand or other indicating element 1.1 of an indicator 12positioned at a point within view of the workman who manipulates the endof the sheet. While various means may be employed to shift the pointerso as to keep it on the line 7, and while the means for connecting thepointer to the indicator may be anything suitable, I prefer that shown,wliicli consists in a shifter shaft or bar 1.4: guided for movementlongitudinally of its own axis in bearings 15 in a bracket 16, thelatter being in this instance mounted on the upper arm of the shear bystud bolts 17'. The bracket also carries a hand lever shaft 18,positioned at right'angles to the shaft or bar 14 and actuated by thehand lever 19, the upper end of which sweeps over the semi-circular areor surface 20 on the bracket. Keyed to the shaft 18 is a segi'nent ormember 21 adapted to receive the flexible wires 22-23 (Fig. 5), theends: of which are secured thereto as by clamps 24C. The shifter bar 14passes through and is rotatable in respect to a shifter head 26,

Figs. 11 and 12, that'hasvupon its rear side a pin or stud 28 adapted tobear in a block 29. Fig. 5. which is arranged to slide on radial guidesin the member 21. As a matter of convenience in the assembling of theparts, one of the guides 30, (F 5) is formed integral with the segment21, whereas the other is in the form ofv a detachable gib '32, and theblock 29 is divided into halves. Thus, upon sliding the head 26longitudinally one of the halves of the block may be lowered into placeuntil the stud28 is seated into the bearing; the other half of the blockmay then be placed in position; and the gib finally lowered and-attachedby the screw 33. The shaft 14:, as stated before, is swingable about itsown axis and also in respect to the head 26, and may beadjustedlongitudinally of the latteras by' means of the collars 34:35and the set screws 86. The pointer 10 may be secured to the shaft 14 inany suitable way, as by means of a holder 38 attached to the shaft by aset screw 39 and itself forming a guide in which the-pointer may be heldat'any desired position of longitudinal adjustment by means of theknurled screw 40.

In order to provide for the ready. take up of wear in:the bearings 15,the bracket is preferably arranged to receive the brass plugs 4.1 whichmay be adjusted axially of the shaft .14 by screws42 that are in turnheld in adjusted position by set screws 43 (Fig. accurately to rectilnear. movement. 1

The wires 22 23 are slidable in tubes 50, the lower ends of which areclamped to the bracket '16 and are bent at 5152 toprop erly direct thewires to the segment 21. The tubes terminate in proximity to theindicator and are connected to the operating shaft 53 thereof (Fig; 9).by means of the short chain 54 which is wound around the spirals of. aworm drum 55 on the lower end of the shaft and preferably inclosed by asuitable housing 56. The shaft 58 carries a bevel gear 57 in mesh with.a similar gear 58 fixed to the indicator shaft 59 which .cut is abouthalf completed and is thereafter by the hand 62; and should it The shaft14' is thus confinedcarryinga hand 62 which is visible from the rearside of the machine; and the gears 5860 together mesh with a gear 63 ona third shaft 64; at right angles to the shafts 5961 and itself carryinga hand 65 (Fig. i

8) visible from the side of the machine. By mounting one end of theshaft 6 1- in a detachable plate 66 all parts are rendered readilyaccessible.

Evidently, a movement of the pointer in a given direction will causemovements of the several hands .in the same apparent direction, that is,to the particular workman to whom a given hand is visible its directionofv movement from a vertical initial position will always be eithertoward the right or the left (depending on the manner of winding thechain on the drum) fora 11101 61116111} of the slide bar in a givendirection. This relation is of decided advantage as the indications thusall correspond to the .movement whiclrmust be given the sheet, in

order to correct its position, by the workman to whom the particularindicator is visible.

Operation: Assuming that the pointer is in proper adjustment and that itis desired to out the sheet, the, latter isentered into the cutters onthe desired marked line and 'a short out, say one-quarter of an inch, ismade. The machine is then stopped to give the helper an opportunity toswing the sheet around (the operator keeping the pointer 0n the'lineconstantly) until the'indicator hand points up, if that be its selectedneutral position. The machine is then again started, and the operatorhas only to hold the pointer on the line, and the helper to guide thesheet so that. the indicator hand keeps at the neutral point, in orderto insure a straight out, the cutters serving not only to shear thesheet but also to draw it along. In the event only two men are operatingthe shear, the helper passes around to. the rear when the guidedbedesired to cut the end of the sheet, the latter is arranged at rightangles to the position shown in Fig. 1. and the workman takes hisdirections from the hand 65.

i The pointer' may be quickly raised. when putting the sheet in, byloosening the set screw 40' and thereafter tilting it, when clamped,over against the shear, and the reverse operation suflices for lowering.The

exact setting of the pointer, so far as dis tance away from the cutteris concerned, depends on how far the cut is being made from the edge ofthe sheet. If the cut is being made, say the thickness of the metal fromthe edge of the sheet, or very near the edge, it is desirable to havethe point of the pointer within one and onehalf inches of the cuttingpoint of the cutters, but it the cut is one or two inches from the edge,then the pointer may be positioned three or four inches from the cuttingpoint, and it the cut is more than two inches from the edge the pointermay be placed say six to ten inches from the cutters. It is naturallydesirable to keep the pointer as far back from the cutters as possiblein view of the more accurate indications thus attained.

The details of construction may be widely changed otherwise than aspointed out heretofore, without departing from the spirit of theinvention; and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited except asindicated by the subjoined claims.

I claim 1. In combination with a machine tool adapted to operate along apredetermined line on material passing the tool, a pointer shiftabletransversely of said line, and indicating means responsive to themovement OTE said pointer and visible to a workman who manipulates thematerial.

2. In combination with a machine tool adapted to ope ate on sheetmaterial as the latter is moved through the tool, an element movable inthe plane of the sheet transversely of the line of movement of thematerial and adapted to be held in' close proximity to the line on whichthe tool is to work, manually operable means for shifting said elementacross the sheet whereby it may be kept substantially on said line ofwork, and indicating means responsive to the movement of said elementand visible to a workman handling the end of the sheet.

3. In a shear, rotary cutters adapted to operate on sheet material orthe like along a desired line, a pointer positioned adjacent saidcutters and arranged to be held manually substantially in registrationwith said line, and indicating mechanism associated therewith forshowing departures ot' the material from the position necessary topresent it to said cutters along said line.

a. In combination with a machine including a working tool adapted tooperate on long sheet material along a desired line marked on the sheet,an element swingable about a horizontal axis and positioned adj acentsaid working tool and adapted to register with said line,manuallyoperable means for shifting the element transversely of saidline whereby it may be held substantially in registration therewiththroughout slight angular movements oi? the sheet, and means controlledby the element and visible from the end of the sheet for showingdepartures of the line from its proper position with reference to thetool.

5. In a rotary shear, a pointer positioned close to the shearingelements an d swingable about a horizontal axis along which it may alsobe shifted longitudinally, the parts being so arranged that the pointeris shiiltable transversely of the line along which the shearing elementsare adapted to work, and indicating means movable with the pointer andvisible from a distance.

(i. In combination with a machine tool adapted to operate on a longsheet of material along a line lengthwise of said sheet, an elementshiftable transversely of said line whereby it may be made tosubstantially follow said line throughout a limited angular movement ofthe sheet substantially in a horizontal plane, and indicating mechanismresponsive to movement of said element and visible to a workman.

7. A rotary shear adapted to cut sheet material moving through the shearfrom front to rear, a pointer inclined downwardly and in the directionof movement 01 the material and adapted to ride on the upper sin-ta ethereof. means for shifting the pointer to cause it to follow a line onthe material, and indicating means visible to a workman manipulating thesheet, whereby the displacement of said line from a neutral line may bemade clear to said workman.

S. In combimition with a machine tool having a working element adaptedto operate on sheet material along a desired line marked on the sheet. apointer positioned close to said working element and movable across theupper Face of the sheet whereby it may be made to follow a line markedthereon, and indicator means responsive to the movement of the pointer"for showing the displacement oi the pointer "from a neutral position,said means being so construced and arranged as to give the same apparent indication, for a given movement of the pointer, when viewed fromeither end oi the sheet.

9. In a machine tool adapted to operate on moving material, means forindicating angular displacements of the material with reference to thetool, said means including two elements, each visible to aworlmianhandling a corresponding end of the material, said elementsbeing arranged to give absolute indications of opposite nature forangular displacement of the material in a particular direction.

10. In a machine tool adapted to operate on moving material, means forindicating angular displacements of the material with reference to thetool, said means including three movable elements, one visible from infront 01 the machine, the second visible from the rear of the machine,and the third visihle from the side of the machine, the move ment of thefirst and third elements being in the same direction and that of thesecond element being in the opposite direction.

11. In a machine tool of the class described, a movable elementpositioned close to moving material on which the tool works, manuallyoperable means for shifting the element across said material to keep-itsub stantially in registration with a line marked thereon, said meansincluding a support, a rotatable bar carried thereby and itselfsupporting said element, a head through which said bar passes and in iespect to which it is rotatable, means for shifting the head, and meansfor adjusting said head along the bar.

12. In combination with a machine tool having a Working element adaptedto operate on sheet-like material successively along different points ofa desired line thereon, a

device manually movable transversely of i' .-ate on sheet-like materlalalong a'line said line and also adjustable along said line toward andfrom said working element, and indicating means movable with the firstnamed movement of said device and Visible to a workman who manipulatesthe material.

13. In combination wlth a machine tool having a working element adaptedto operate on sheet-like material successively along different points ofa desired line thereon, a pointer manually movable transversely of saidline and adjustable toward and from the plane of the material, andindicating means movable with the first named movetransversely of saidline some distance from the working element and also adjustable in thesame general direction independently of said transverse movement, andindicating means movable with'the first named move ment of said deviceand visible from a distance.

15. In-combination with a machine tool having a Working element adaptedto opermarked'thereon, a pointer, manually operable means for shiftingthe pointer transversely of said line so that it may be held thereon asthe sheet swings slightly, an indicator visible to, a Workmanwhomanipulates the material, and'means for actuating the indicatorsimultaneously With the pointer, said means including aflexibleele mentand a pipe in which said flexible element is received and guided.

HENRY COLLIER SMITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner'ofPatents,

WashingtozQD. G. i

